potent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite having great influence
    powerful.
  2. adjective satellite having or wielding force or authority
    strong.
    • providing the ground soldier with increasingly potent weapons
  3. adjective having a strong physiological or chemical effect
    strong; stiff.
    • a potent toxin
    • potent liquor
    • a potent cup of tea", "a stiff drink
  4. adjective (of a male) capable of copulation
    virile.

WordNet

Po"tent adjective
Etymology
L. potens, -entis, p. pr. of posse to be able, to have power, fr. potis able, capable (akin to Skr. pati master, lord) + esse to be. See Host a landlord, Am, and cf. Despot, Podesta, Possible, Power, Puissant.
Definitions
  1. Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful' efficacious; as, a potent medicine. "Harsh and potent injuries." Shak.
    Moses once more his potent rod extends. Milton.
  2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant; mighty; influential; as, a potent prince. "A potent dukedom." Shak.
    Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors. Shak.
  3. Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument. Syn. -- Powerful; mighty; puissant; strong; able; efficient; forcible; efficacious; cogent; influential.
Po"tent noun
Definitions
  1. A prince; a potentate. Obs. Shak.
  2. See Potence. A staff or crutch. Obs.
  3. (Her.) One of the furs; a surface composed of patches which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise specially mentioned.

Webster 1913